Donald Payne's Obituary
Donald Eugene Payne, son of Fred Eugene and Muriel Annette “Nettie” Morton Payne, was born October 24, 1928, in Hutchinson, Kansas. He departed this life Monday, February 13, 2006, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-seven years, three months, and nineteen days. On October 8, 1948, he was united in marriage to Norma G. Steele, and to this union two daughters and one son were born. His parents, and a sister, June Cline, preceded him in death. Donald is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Norma, of the home; three children, Diane Sneed, and her husband, Ed, of Hume, Missouri, Brian Payne, and his wife, Heather, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Denise Shoemaker, and her husband, Mark, of Lebanon, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Amber Patrick, and her husband, John, Andrea and Katie Sneed, Tim Payne, and his wife, Daphne, Keri Dougless, and her husband, Cody, Tyler Payne, Kyle and Taylor Morris, Derek, Megan, and Brooke Shoemaker; a nephew, Jerry Cline, and his wife, Lois; two nieces, Shirley Bontrager, and her husband, Lenford, and Nancy Clark, and her husband, Pat; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He was born and raised in Hutchinson, Kansas and graduated from Hutchinson High School before attending Hutchinson Junior College. After he and Norma were married, they made their home in Hutchinson, Kansas where Donald worked for Southwestern Bell for twenty years. In 1968, they moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas and began working with the Cookson Hills Christian Children’s Home. They then moved to Moberly, Missouri where Donald was the maintenance supervisor for Central Christian College for twenty-one years. He and Norma were also dormitory parents for fourteen years. During these years and throughout most of his life, Donald served as minister to several churches including the Liberty Christian Church in Cairo, Missouri, the Steffenville Christian Church in Steffenville, Missouri, and the Prairie Hill Christian Church in Prairie Hill, Missouri. Then in 1990, they moved to Lebanon Missouri, where Donald pastored the Washington Christian Church near Lebanon until retiring on April 26, 1998. Donald was a faithful servant to his Lord and Savior throughout the years, and had maintained his membership in the Washington Christian Church. In his spare time he greatly enjoyed doing woodworking projects, traveling and photography. His family was important to him and he greatly enjoyed his grandchildren. Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, and was a caring and compassionate pastor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the wonderful memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2006, in the Washington Christian Church. Burial will be in the Washington Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home at their convenience. Services are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri.
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